Network

Starring: Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch, Robert Duvall, Ned Beatty, Beatrice Straight
Directed by: Sidney Lumet
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
1976

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A television newsman (Peter Finch) creates a media sensation when he abruptly decides to start telling the brutal truth about the world. The network sees a ratings bonaza and decides to capitalize on it.

Review:

Tim: Watching Network decades after it's release, I was shocked and impressed with how prescient it was. The film shows the behind-the-scenes interworkings of a television network. At the time, it was explosive and controversial. Today, though, it's amazing how much of what the film predicted has come true. In the mid 1970s, it can be argued that this film predicted the glut of reality television, the fourth major television network, and a host of other realities of how television would evolve. It's fascinating to watch.

That's not what makes Network great, though. The movie is a fascinating, unflinching look at world ruled by ratings. It paints television networks in an unfavorable light. We see characters betray one another, fire people, risk lives, ignore mental illness, and finally commit murder, all for ratings. The television business is dangerous and unkind, and it all comes across on screen.

The movie is famous for the best line in the film- "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!" The scene where Peter Finch delivers this line is truly a classic, and I got chills watching the ramifications of it (the scene of people shouting this out of their windows was terrific). It perfectly captured the feelings of so many people in the mid 70s. With all the corruption, wars, and uncertainty, people were simply fed up with everything around them. There are certainly parallels between that time and present day. That line is really a battle cry- a statement of independence and defiance. It's no surprise that it is always included on the greatest-movie-quotes-of-all-time lists. It is terrific.

Network was nominated for an outstanding 10 Academy Awards, including a mind-boggling 5 Acting nominations. That blows my mind. William Holden was nominated for Best Actor, Ned Beatty for Best Supporting Actor, while Peter Finch won Best Actor, Faye Dunaway won Best Actress, and Beatrice Straight won Best Supporting Actress. The film also won Best Original Screenplay, and received nominations for Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Film Editing, and Best Picture. That's almost unbelievable.

I do want to talk about the cast. William Holden is very, very good in the lead role. I'm glad he was nominated. He brings a level of class, experience, and prestige to the film. Faye Dunaway was veyr good as well. She shines a woman succeeding in a mostly man's world. She showcases her acting talent by bringing to life a woman who has sacrificed everything for her career. She's a fascinating, sometimes unlikable character. Dunaway deserved her Oscar gold. Peter Finch was the first actor to win an Academy Award posthumously. I thought Finch occasionally strayed into the melodramatic, but there are several moments in the film where he's nothing short of incredible. He makes the movie, especially with his "Mad as hell" scene. I'm glad he won Best Supporting Actor, although I wish he had been alive to get it. Ned Beatty is in a very small role, but he was nominated as well. I wish Beatty had more screen time, but he's pretty fantastic in those few minutes. He delivers a very impressive monologue, and I enjoyed him in the part. That brings me to Beatrice Straight. I have to say I completely and totally disagree with her Oscar win. She is on screen for only 5 minutes and 40 seconds. Besides one good scene, she adds almost nothing to the film. I don't think I'll ever understand how she was nominated, let alone won. She had no business receiving either recognition. She's fine in the role, but her part does not add much to the overall quality of the film. If I didn't know she had won an Academy Award, I likely would have completely forgot about her character and her performance. I love this movie, but Straight should not have won. I feel strongly about that. Besides that mistake, the cast is excellent- it also includes Robert Duvall!

Network is a great movie. In another year, I would have thought it deserved to win Best Picture. Unfortunately, it had to contend with All the President's Men and Rocky, both films I believe are superior. Still, this movie is expertly made by Sidney Lumet, features fascinating characters, interesting commentary about television in the 1970s, and is entertaining and memorable. It's a great movie.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The Insider, All the President's Men, Rocky